First of all, let me state for the record that I love potatoes. LOVE THEM. So much so that Man of La Muncha gives me a hard time about my potato love. Baked, boiled, mashed, or fried--potatoes in all forms are typically a welcome addition to our dinner table.

However, I admit that they were much more welcome when we were not paying as much attention to the seasonality or locality of the vegetables we were purchasing. In this, the first winter of our ethicurean habits, the lack of fresh vegetables has begun to wear.

Today, I went to the farmers' market, expecting to find some broccoli that Man of La Muncha could use later this week for stir fry. Broccoli is a cold-weather crop, and one that I readily associate with winter. What I found was:

Celeriac

Parsnips

Bags of lettuce leaves (note that the leaves are from different kinds of lettuce--butter, red, etc.--whatever has survived the cold thus far).

Some Brussel sprouts

And potatoes, as far as the eye can see.

I crave a full head of lettuce; I dream of ripe tomatoes. Though I see such things in the grocery store, I steer clear, because I know that they aren't really going to satisfy my craving--the things I see there come from too far away and are bred to be shipped, not to be tasty.

Today I bought a bag of lettuce, and found the broccoli we wanted at Whole Foods (all the way from California, I fear). I will know Spring by her miner's lettuce, peas, and favas, and will celebrate in anticipation of the corn, tomatoes, and berries to come. And while I still love potatoes, the maxim "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" echoes in my ears. Potatoes, it is time to go. Please let in the spring produce when you leave. And please, make it soon.